Scallop Recipes

This quick-cooking shellfish is versatile enough for a variety of delicious preparations.

This quick-cooking shellfish is versatile enough for a variety of delicious preparations.

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Cooking Light

November 27, 2012

1 of 26Photo: Nigel Cox

Healthy Ways to Cook with Scallops

All scallops, whether farmed or wild-caught, are great sustainable seafood options. But for the best choice, pick diver-caught scallops from Mexico.

A screaming-hot skillet and baking sheet yield fantastic seared scallops and quick-roasted tomatoes and veggies. The luxurious sauce is little more than butter emulsified into reduced white wine—keep the butter cold and whisk it in gradually for the creamiest sauce.

Seared Scallps with Bacon and Oranges

Serve this company-worthy platter with a green salad, and you're set for an elegant, fuss-free meal that's ready in less than half an hour. Cooking the scallops in bacon fat imparts a salty sweetness and helps them crisp on the outside while cooking slowly on the inside. A dressing of orange juice, vinegar, and salt drizzled over the simply seasoned scallops imparts even more sweet flavor. Top this 5-ingredient dish evenly with bacon, orange sections, and thyme. For a more affordable (but equally tasty) option, try using shrimp in place of the scallops.

Soy-Citrus Scallops with Soba Noodles

Robust Japanese buckwheat noodles and seared scallops get coated with a marinade that has been reduced to a glaze. Serve with still-crunchy snow peas or sugar snap peas. You can toss them right in with the noodles.

Seared Scallops with Farmers’ Market Salad

Be sure you buy dry-packed scallops. Scallops marked "wet packed" have been treated with a liquid solution containing sodium tripolyphosphate. The scallops absorb the salty mixture and plump up, resulting in a heavier weight and a higher market price. But when you cook them, the liquid portion will cook out, leaving you with smaller scallops and higher sodium content.

Cioppino-Style Seafood Stew

Inspired by the famed San Francisco meal-in-a-bowl, this comes together with minimal fuss. Serve it with Parmesan toast. Scallops, in addition to two other types of seafood, make this warming treat a protein-packed, healthy alternative to creamy, high-fat soups and stews.

Thai Seafood Salad

Pan-Seared Scallops with Bacon and Spinach

Scallops cooked in a pan are always in danger of being steamed rather than seared, so be sure to use a big pan and high heat. A cast-iron skillet is ideal since it gets really hot and can handle high temperatures.

Seared Scallops with Warm Tuscan Beans

Pair this one-dish seared scallops meal with a side of garlic bread. It's perfect for sopping up every last drop of the delicious sauce. The iron in spinach and protein in the beans and scallops make this a perfect alternative to a red meat meal.

Seared Sea Scallops with Satsuma, Parsley, and Shallot Salsa

Perfectly seared sea scallops are finished with a homemade citrus salsa. The star, winter’s satsuma, are one of the sweetest citrus varieties with a meltingly tender texture. Look for satsumas with firm, tight peels, with no hollow-feeling or dented spots; heavier ones are generally juicier.

Escabèche-Style Scallops

Escabèche is a Spanish dish in which cooked seafood is marinated and served cold as an appetizer. Though it's traditionally made with sardines, escabèche is also good with other seafood, including scallops and shrimp. Marinate for only 30 minutes to ensure the scallops remain tender. Top with thyme sprigs.

Scallops with Spinach and Paprika Syrup

Seafood Risotto

Risotto must be served immediately so you can best savor its rich creaminess. With this version, there's just enough for two healthful portions. Complete the meal with a salad, bread, and crisp white wine.

Caramelized Scallops

Nantucket Bay Scallops with Bay-Scented Butter

Small bay scallops are often sweeter and more tender than larger sea scallops. Bay-scented butter, tinged with a hint of lemon, flavors the scallops, while panko provides crunchy texture. Serve in scallop shells for a handsome presentation.